After a review of earlier funerary rituals in Japan, Bernstein (history, Lewis and Clark College, Oregon) shows how diverse premodern practices from different regions and social strata were homogenized with those generated by middle-class city dwellers to create the form of funerary practice dominant today. Topics include cremation, suburban soul parks, nativist Shinto rites, and the funeral procession. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)